A cooperative has has been granted temporary planning permission to create three smallholdings for new entrant farmers in East Sussex.
The Ecological Land Cooperative (ECL), an organisation which supports ecological land-based businesses, has opened their smallholder applications for their Arlington, East Sussex site.
The 7.5 hectare site will include three new smallholdings of mixed farms, and will promote farming with an emphasis on environmental goals.
Small-scale farmers with ideas for bringing local food and employment to the area are needed to farm the site.
Oliver Bettany, Membership and Engagement Manager, says: “We’re really excited to open up the application process for Arlington and look forward to receiving applicants that share the mission and values of the ELC, particularly our commitment to co-operative working.”
The application process to purchase a lease for one of the ELC's three smallholdings in Arlington requires a significant amount of work for applicants, including the submission of a detailed business plan.
The price of the holdings is fixed and the ELC is not looking for the highest bidder. Instead, they are looking for applicants who can demonstrate that they will be able to establish and manage an ecological farm business appropriate to the site, its natural resources and location.
The combined cost of agricultural land and rural housing makes it incredibly difficult for young farmers to live and work on their own land.
Between 2000-2010 new farm entrants accounted for just 4% of agricultural land purchasers.
The ELC is primarily funded through community share issues, with the remaining funds from grant funding and loan financing.
The deadline for applicants is 7th November. For more information on the application process visit Ecologicalland.coop
